Sunday, February 24, 2013

Last
Saturday I went to Palanga for the Smelt festival that is held there each year
(smelt are little fish). Travis, Ashlee, Anna, Samantha, Jessica and I took the
30 minute bus ride to Palanga on Saturday morning.It was fairly easy to find the festival in
the town because everyone was walking towards it.

There
were many tents which had works by various artists. There were toys, jewelry,
cookware, and a lot of knitted mittens and socks. There was one artist who had
woven baskets, chairs, and hampers. There were even child-sized tables and
chairs. What caught my eye the most were baskets that looked like you could put
Moses in and send them down the river. Why do we put babies in those giant
carriers?Shoot, just put them in a
basket.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

“I am a risk taker!” That is the
motto of Study Abroad Lithuania program.Recently as I
was riding a bus from Klaipeda (where my school
is) to Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania) I
read a book by my pastor called “Risk is Right.” The book is actually a chapter
from another book of his that he has expanded. The book caught my eye for
several reasons, studying abroad in general is a risk, my plans to backpack are
risky, but most importantly the call to follow Christ will mean a life full of
risk. Risk is an
action that exposes you to the possibility of loss or injury. In coming to Lithuania I am losing a semester of
comfortability, familiarity, with friends at Bethel. I have now instead plunged into a sea
of uncertainty and relative instability. Ultimately most decisions are made
with a false sense of security. Often I told my mom before coming here that I
was just as endangered every time I go for a spin. But that doesn’t mean I dive
head first into any pool of opportunity.The act of
taking a risk is either foolish or wise. When the danger is not outweighed by
the outcome then the risk is usually worth it. If the risk is merely for the
self exalting purposes and for selfish pleasure then the risk is not just
idiotic, but also sinfully destructive. If my motivation in being here is
founded in some sort of lust for adventure, American heroism, or to build a
courage of self-reliance, or to earn God’s good will through spiritual work,
than I am on a path to destruction. My drive and motivation to take
risks—again, action in which I may endure injury or loss— should be for
something worth it, not some whim or boyish dream. My risks should be founded
and grounded in Jesus Christ because He is of surpassing worth as the
all-providing, all-ruling, all-satisfying God.

“Such is the
confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient
in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from
God…” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5When I find my
sufficiency in Christ I can take risks knowing that my feet are firm held by
His grace. I can take the risk of going abroad to study. I can take the chance
of pursuing a woman. I can share the glories of Christ with a stranger on the
bus or with a family member who doesn’t know Christ but knows my frailty and failures.
I can apply for a a job. I can take physical, emotional, intellectual,
relational, and spiritual risks when Christ is payoff, my fullness of joy and
my pleasure forevermore.The cost of
being a disciple of Jesus means death. Death of pride, death of making my self
look better than I really am, and death of a “comfortable life”. When Christ
calls a man He bids him come and die. He says, “Take up your cross and follow”.
I am risking everything if I am truly following Christ. But really, this is not
a risk. I know how the story ends…“He is no fool
who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”Jim
Elliot, missionary and martyrHERE is the link to the book.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Užgavėnės
is a traditional Lithuanian festival celebrated to mark the end of winter and
to welcome spring. It is usually celebrated 6 weeks before Easter and symbolizes
the beginning of lent. It is an old tradition that is still cherished today.
Nowadays Lithuanians prepare a lot of pancakes and little kids go around their neighbors
and ask for pancakes, sweets and pocket money. Usually there is a festival in town's
center accompanied with traditional dances.

This
weekend a group of Study Abroad Lithuania students went to town's square to
observe and experience this unique tradition.

Friday, February 8, 2013

In
our exploration trips through Klaipeda
we have seen all kinds of people, buildings, and history. I really feel that Europe is the place I want to be. Everything about it is
simplified and time seems to go slower. It is not the fast pace lifestyle of America. There
is a focus on relationships here like I have never seen before. The bonds
between friends have more value than in the states. For what I have seen so far
the city is full of peace and promise. There is hope through the restless
winter. Everyday is brand new. Maybe it is the snow that reminds me of the
clean slates we have in Christ. I understand more and more each day of our
opportunity of saving grace and how we can renew our souls in Christ each
morning.

Monday, February 4, 2013

I finished my first week at my internship;
it’s not very easy but I really want to do well. I’m working in a school in
town and I’m helping to design an afterschool program for the kids. If I was at
an English speaking school, this would be super easy but, because of the
language barrier, this is one of the hardest things I’ve done. I want to get to
know the kids so that I can see what they would like to do but because I can’t
talk to them the job is really tough. The teacher that I’m working with is
really sweet but she isn’t very sure of her ability to speak English, so that’s
another hurdle for me. There were times this past week when I didn’t think I’d
be able to do it but by the end of the week, the kids were excited to see me
and that makes it worth it. If nothing else, I’m going to be able to make
staying after school a little more enjoyable for kids and I’ll pick up a few
new words along the way (they love to help me with my Lithuanian!). I know this
won’t be a waste even if it’s pretty tiring.

Program Information

Study Abroad Lithuania offers undergraduate students studying in North American Colleges and Universities the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad at LCC International University (LCC). LCC is a Christian Liberal Arts university with a diverse population of 600 students representing over 20 different countries. Study Abroad Lithuania programs have been running since 1995 with over 400 students coming from more than 25 North American institutions. Students of all majors can apply.